Next target - extended warranties
Discussion
Hey everybody - in case you didn't know it - Dixons is a business. In the private sector. You know, no government subsidies to prop it up; no taxpayer money behind it.
Just a big, frickin' company that employs tens of thousands of people and generates untold millions in revenue streams for whoever resides as chief robber in No.11.
However, it is also a force for pure, unadulterated evil.
That is, according to an eminent voice within the simply dreadful Consumer (Terrorist) Association - no names, of course - but an individual of such bile-vomitting ugliness and negativity, a veritable spokeslesbian for anything that doesn't fund lima infertility clinics in Guatemala, who cries that we are all being ripped off.
Apparently, lots of hapless punters are being deceived by hoardes of spotty YTS types whenever they buy anything electrical. They are positively brainwashed into taking what amounts to insurance cover on what is, in many cases, reasonably expensive kit. But to the goon squad, this is simply outrageous.
My reaction to this is thus.
First, if any manufactured product of a certain complexity - be it a car, washing machine, plasma screen, electric stair lift or SCUD missul - develops an operational fault outside of it's warranty period (which in fact can be anything from 1 - 5 years), then is it not conceivable that a layperson might require the services of a qualified, professional service technician, to fettle things?
Is it not further reasonable, to expect that person to be remunerated for their efforts? After all, few people in my experience are prepared to deliver a lifetime's knowledge and training for free...
So, if a £1500 TV goes t1ts up after, say, 4 years and needs a new tube, is not circa £200 a fair premium for such cover which happens to include the £40/hour labour rate BEFORE parts (which in this case would be many hundreds of pounds) and in fact as a policy, has none of the exclusions that typically afflict similar warranties in the car sales market?
Second, cannot people simply say, "no thank you?" The notion that Dixons salespeople are 'high pressure' in the old double glazing sense of the phrase is laughable - one of our black cat's bouts of flatulence produces more lb/sq.ft - once again - is this not a prime example of 'tartened kneed' tossers, sticking their noses into something perfectly legitimate because they have feck all else to do?
I mean, take Sheila McKechnie (director of said heinous organisation) - if she feels SO compelled to do some proper good, why doesn't she join the Salvation Army or clear landmines in Rwanda? I'll say it's because today's ludicrous society permits numpties of this staggering inanity to prevail whilst most folks are simply too busy getting on with life and trying to do the best for them and theirs.
I am sick to the back teeth of tw@ts from these meddlesome organisations constantly railing against this and every other privately funded endeavour in the country which is frankly doing no harm to the fabric of society whatsoever, whilst they blissfully ignore the blatant monopoly abuses and political back slapping that arises from the insidious environs of the big 4 supermarket chains - retailers SO vast that nobody should underestimate THEIR Machiavellian agendae; like Wall-Mart, these are the organisations that need bringing to boot because they are genuine political powers, not mere economic entities and their effect is and will be increasingly felt throughout the whole socio-economic fabric of the nation.
A w@nker from ASDA apparently reckoned that "expensive extended warranties are simnply a marketing ruse to dupe consumers into parting with their cash for little or no benefit." What a total c*unt.
Economic sense is being lost in this country, precisiely because of villains like this toe rag and the wastrels who proclaim their crusading mantras as being to the benefit of the majority.
Along with the 'Speed Kills' brigade, I hereby submit that the 'Anti Business' mentality should be cast out, tarred and feathered, with all the other leeches who are crowding out and over compensating for their sexual frustrations with excess regulation.
KILL THEM
ALL! 
Just a big, frickin' company that employs tens of thousands of people and generates untold millions in revenue streams for whoever resides as chief robber in No.11.
However, it is also a force for pure, unadulterated evil.
That is, according to an eminent voice within the simply dreadful Consumer (Terrorist) Association - no names, of course - but an individual of such bile-vomitting ugliness and negativity, a veritable spokeslesbian for anything that doesn't fund lima infertility clinics in Guatemala, who cries that we are all being ripped off.
Apparently, lots of hapless punters are being deceived by hoardes of spotty YTS types whenever they buy anything electrical. They are positively brainwashed into taking what amounts to insurance cover on what is, in many cases, reasonably expensive kit. But to the goon squad, this is simply outrageous.
My reaction to this is thus.
First, if any manufactured product of a certain complexity - be it a car, washing machine, plasma screen, electric stair lift or SCUD missul - develops an operational fault outside of it's warranty period (which in fact can be anything from 1 - 5 years), then is it not conceivable that a layperson might require the services of a qualified, professional service technician, to fettle things?
Is it not further reasonable, to expect that person to be remunerated for their efforts? After all, few people in my experience are prepared to deliver a lifetime's knowledge and training for free...
So, if a £1500 TV goes t1ts up after, say, 4 years and needs a new tube, is not circa £200 a fair premium for such cover which happens to include the £40/hour labour rate BEFORE parts (which in this case would be many hundreds of pounds) and in fact as a policy, has none of the exclusions that typically afflict similar warranties in the car sales market?
Second, cannot people simply say, "no thank you?" The notion that Dixons salespeople are 'high pressure' in the old double glazing sense of the phrase is laughable - one of our black cat's bouts of flatulence produces more lb/sq.ft - once again - is this not a prime example of 'tartened kneed' tossers, sticking their noses into something perfectly legitimate because they have feck all else to do?
I mean, take Sheila McKechnie (director of said heinous organisation) - if she feels SO compelled to do some proper good, why doesn't she join the Salvation Army or clear landmines in Rwanda? I'll say it's because today's ludicrous society permits numpties of this staggering inanity to prevail whilst most folks are simply too busy getting on with life and trying to do the best for them and theirs.
I am sick to the back teeth of tw@ts from these meddlesome organisations constantly railing against this and every other privately funded endeavour in the country which is frankly doing no harm to the fabric of society whatsoever, whilst they blissfully ignore the blatant monopoly abuses and political back slapping that arises from the insidious environs of the big 4 supermarket chains - retailers SO vast that nobody should underestimate THEIR Machiavellian agendae; like Wall-Mart, these are the organisations that need bringing to boot because they are genuine political powers, not mere economic entities and their effect is and will be increasingly felt throughout the whole socio-economic fabric of the nation.
A w@nker from ASDA apparently reckoned that "expensive extended warranties are simnply a marketing ruse to dupe consumers into parting with their cash for little or no benefit." What a total c*unt.
Economic sense is being lost in this country, precisiely because of villains like this toe rag and the wastrels who proclaim their crusading mantras as being to the benefit of the majority.
Along with the 'Speed Kills' brigade, I hereby submit that the 'Anti Business' mentality should be cast out, tarred and feathered, with all the other leeches who are crowding out and over compensating for their sexual frustrations with excess regulation.
KILL THEM
ALL! Wow, somebody got out of bed on the wrong side this morning!
I have to say I agree with you though, there's nothing wrong with the value of extended warranties that are offered with electronic goods. I've never felt under pressure to purchase one. But I do question whether it's really necessary to offer an extended warranty on a kettle...
I've always listened to what the deal is, and weighed up the cost of repair/outright replacement against the cost of the warranty, taking into account how likely I think the item is to break. 9 times out of 10 I turn them down but Curries gave me a good warranty on a 32" Sony TV four years ago. The five year warranty cost £250, which covers accidental damage, new for old replacement and best of all, if I don't need to use it, I get my £250 back next year. There's no doubt that's good value, so I bought it.
I have to say I agree with you though, there's nothing wrong with the value of extended warranties that are offered with electronic goods. I've never felt under pressure to purchase one. But I do question whether it's really necessary to offer an extended warranty on a kettle...
I've always listened to what the deal is, and weighed up the cost of repair/outright replacement against the cost of the warranty, taking into account how likely I think the item is to break. 9 times out of 10 I turn them down but Curries gave me a good warranty on a 32" Sony TV four years ago. The five year warranty cost £250, which covers accidental damage, new for old replacement and best of all, if I don't need to use it, I get my £250 back next year. There's no doubt that's good value, so I bought it.
If you take any salesperson on a fixed salary selling widgets and tell him he/she can make commision on selling addons he/she will push the addons as far as they can without getting sacked. Unfortunately many people in this country don't have the inclination to tell these commision driven animals to take an immediate interest in sex and travel 
.
The Consumer dogooders are not there to protect the likes of strong minded intellegent PHers, but the sort of people who fall foul to pressure selling all the time. They may be thick, insane, gullable, senile or whatever but we can't have a society where it's OK to rip off the feeble minded.
DAZ
(Holy shit, my first pinko liberal post on PH, my reputation will soon be in tatters)
. The Consumer dogooders are not there to protect the likes of strong minded intellegent PHers, but the sort of people who fall foul to pressure selling all the time. They may be thick, insane, gullable, senile or whatever but we can't have a society where it's OK to rip off the feeble minded.
DAZ
(Holy shit, my first pinko liberal post on PH, my reputation will soon be in tatters)
I agree that the purveyors of these warranty are not part of the "axis of evil', but they can be a bit too pushy with them. Now this is of no matter to me, 'cos I'm not gonna be swayed to buy something I don't want - but this might not be true of some of societies more vulnerable people.
Edited to say: you beat me to it Daz!
>> Edited by Leadfoot on Saturday 1st March 13:13
Edited to say: you beat me to it Daz!
>> Edited by Leadfoot on Saturday 1st March 13:13
Exactly, Bonce - you employed that faculty of God given provenance - freewill - to take advantage of something that these total arsewipes think you shouldn't have the option to even consider - choice.
Just because Dixons sell sh1t loads of warranties does NOT mean a monopoly exists - they're just effin' good at it!
Apparently, remedial action 'against' such hellish abuses of human rights could include banning the sale of such (FFS!
) or forcing retailers to offer a choice - what! WHY? Who says?
Christ Almighty! So, let's get this straight - does this mean that if I happen across a TVR dealer I'm in danger of being ripped off because I don't get to sample a choice slice of Vauxhall Vectra or Zastyava Yugo?
And am I being ripped off because the prices are reasonably inflexible?
I think not; I either want it, or I don't and I don't need some useless, carping, over the hill, unproductive moron telling me that my liberties are being threatened in markets which are frankly, highly competitive in the first place.
It's stoopid b1tches like this who assail the entrepenuerial spirit of Albion with a quagmire of preventative red tape.
I genuinely hope she perishes this weekend in an extremely painful - not to mention bizzare (of course) - gardening accident.
Let her burn, along with the other crusading ne'er-do-wells that are fckuing everything up in Albion's increasing hard pressed red, hammer & sickled land...
Btw, did you hear about that pathetic mare, Anne Dog- brain, on Dickweed & Judas, yesterday? Basically, this overweight chocaholic, screaming at people NOT to buy les produits de Wilheim Wonka because it's equally evil?
I'm sure the tens of thousands of Cadbury's staff and associated suppliers are jumping for joy in complete agreement with this fat slapper just because SHE ate too many cream eggs. FOR GOD'S SAKE!
GET A LIFE YOU SILLY BINT!!! AAAAAAAaargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
off & DIE, DIE, DDDddddddiiiiiiie!!!!!
RESPONSIBILTY for your actions, you stupid, inadequate dyke!
FFS!!! 
DeR has temporarily shut down due to embolic overload...normal service will be resumed following a small session of air guitaring to 'The Ace of Spades' after which he will be suing Ian Kilminster for FORCING a frenetic strain to the neck muscles caused by involuntary head banging.
This country now needs a dictator before the final flush is executed.
>> Edited by derestrictor on Saturday 1st March 13:36
Just because Dixons sell sh1t loads of warranties does NOT mean a monopoly exists - they're just effin' good at it!
Apparently, remedial action 'against' such hellish abuses of human rights could include banning the sale of such (FFS!
) or forcing retailers to offer a choice - what! WHY? Who says? Christ Almighty! So, let's get this straight - does this mean that if I happen across a TVR dealer I'm in danger of being ripped off because I don't get to sample a choice slice of Vauxhall Vectra or Zastyava Yugo?
And am I being ripped off because the prices are reasonably inflexible?
I think not; I either want it, or I don't and I don't need some
useless, carping, over the hill, unproductive moron telling me that my liberties are being threatened in markets which are frankly, highly competitive in the first place. It's stoopid b1tches like this who assail the entrepenuerial spirit of Albion with a quagmire of preventative red tape.
I genuinely hope she perishes this weekend in an extremely painful - not to mention bizzare (of course) - gardening accident.
Let her burn, along with the other crusading ne'er-do-wells that are fckuing everything up in Albion's increasing hard pressed red, hammer & sickled land...
Btw, did you hear about that pathetic mare, Anne Dog- brain, on Dickweed & Judas, yesterday? Basically, this overweight chocaholic, screaming at people NOT to buy les produits de Wilheim Wonka because it's equally evil?
I'm sure the tens of thousands of Cadbury's staff and associated suppliers are jumping for joy in complete agreement with this fat slapper just because SHE ate too many cream eggs. FOR GOD'S SAKE!
GET A LIFE YOU SILLY BINT!!! AAAAAAAaargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
off & DIE, DIE, DDDddddddiiiiiiie!!!!! RESPONSIBILTY for your actions, you stupid, inadequate dyke!
FFS!!!
DeR has temporarily shut down due to embolic overload...normal service will be resumed following a small session of air guitaring to 'The Ace of Spades' after which he will be suing Ian Kilminster for FORCING a frenetic strain to the neck muscles caused by involuntary head banging.
This country now needs a dictator before the final flush is executed. >> Edited by derestrictor on Saturday 1st March 13:36
There you go Bonce - but the stupid commie biatch deserved every Goddam blood curdling intonation.
Shutting down again to enjoy a delightful bag of Walkers crisps, content in the knowledge that it's my decision, nobody's being opressed and Gary Lineker's sponsorship is assured just a bit longer...
Shutting down again to enjoy a delightful bag of Walkers crisps, content in the knowledge that it's my decision, nobody's being opressed and Gary Lineker's sponsorship is assured just a bit longer...
dazren said:
The Consumer dogooders are not there to protect the likes of strong minded intellegent PHers, but the sort of people who fall foul to pressure selling all the time. They may be thick, insane, gullable, senile or whatever but we can't have a society where it's OK to rip off the feeble minded.
DAZ
(Holy shit, my first pinko liberal post on PH, my reputation will soon be in tatters)
I assume you were drinking heavily?
Btw - Dazmobile alert this morning on the way in - really gunning along - looked ominously poised for serious assault on Newton's fave laws.
dazren said:The Consumer dogooders are not there to protect the likes of strong minded intellegent PHers, but the sort of people who fall foul to pressure selling all the time. They may be thick, insane, gullable, senile or whatever but we can't have a society where it's OK to rip off the feeble minded.
Why not? If you keep wrapping society's stupid people in cotton wool and protecting them from themselves, they'll never learn to take personal responsibility (a dying concept in today's society) for their own decisions in life.
Worse still, as derestrictor points out, all of us end up bound by endless 'lowest common denominator' legislation which says that, for instance, just because a few clueless goons can't drive safely at more than 70mph on the motorway, none of us should be allowed to do so.
DrSeuss said:Why not? If you keep wrapping society's stupid people in cotton wool and protecting them from themselves, they'll never learn to take personal responsibility (a dying concept in today's society) for their own decisions in life.
So if someone can't take personal responsability they can fcuk off to the gutter then. Are you advocating some sort of Conman's charter?
Worse still, as derestrictor points out, all of us end up bound by endless 'lowest common denominator' legislation which says that, for instance, just because a few clueless goons can't drive safely at more than 70mph on the motorway, none of us should be allowed to do so.
Taking a parallel, In the case of driving ban them. In the case of extended warrantys stop them from entering shops? er what about buying food at the supermarket? Not allowed to enter supermarkets, OK let them starve.
DAZ
(Please forgive me for I am sounding like a bloody commie. Twice in the same day.
I must leave this thread before the CIA investigate me) 
dazren said: In the case of driving ban them? In the case of extended warranties stop them from entering shops? Er, what about buying food at the supermarket? Not allowed to enter supermarkets, OK let them starve.
DAZ
(Please forgive me for I am sounding like a bloody commie. Twice in the same day.
Nah, let them eat & let 'em drive; just don't let them stop the likes of us eating double quarters with cheese & 'exceeding' 70, every now and then!
THIS is what they want to prevent - just because some wet pillock hates motorists and maliciously drives a Hyundai - you, Dazren, should be prevented from driving a 450 bhp volcano of a thing.
When I was involved in insurance underwriting, about 10 years ago - so it may have changed - EW loss rates were typically 17% of premium income. So 83% gross margin. That's fairly profitable business 'cos the cost to sell isn't big. Not as profitable as Creditor Insurance (tick the box to cover your debt in case of sickness, redundancy or death). That is a close rival to drug dealing and prostitution in the margin stakes.
Anyway, warranties are NOT good value when viewed overall from the consumer perspective, but in individual cases they make sense. And the thing is the poorer you are the more sense they make. If you can afford the warranty but you couldn't afford the big repair or replacement - buy one. If you can afford to replace - don't buy one.
So, the people who are being ripped off are the ones with more money. Why have consumer doogooders protecting the stupid? I love 'em, because Dixons et al use warranty profits to allow them to offer lower prices on goods (allegedly!!), so I buy better and make a decision that I'll take the risk on a breakdown.
Never buy insurance unless:
1. It's a legal or contractual requirement, or
2. You couldn't afford to cover the potential loss yourself.
I insure my car comprehensive, but if I was worth millions I'd drop it to TPF&F.
Anyway, warranties are NOT good value when viewed overall from the consumer perspective, but in individual cases they make sense. And the thing is the poorer you are the more sense they make. If you can afford the warranty but you couldn't afford the big repair or replacement - buy one. If you can afford to replace - don't buy one.
So, the people who are being ripped off are the ones with more money. Why have consumer doogooders protecting the stupid? I love 'em, because Dixons et al use warranty profits to allow them to offer lower prices on goods (allegedly!!), so I buy better and make a decision that I'll take the risk on a breakdown.
Never buy insurance unless:
1. It's a legal or contractual requirement, or
2. You couldn't afford to cover the potential loss yourself.
I insure my car comprehensive, but if I was worth millions I'd drop it to TPF&F.
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